Android 6 Marshmallow update: when can I get it?

Samsung has begun pushing Android 6 Marshmallow to the Galaxy S5 around the world. Look out for your update soon.

Android Marshmallow is here (for some). There are battery life improvements, greater app permission controls, standardized support for fingerprint scanners, more granular volume controls, USB-C support and new Google Now features, all part of a mix that makes this an exciting upgrade for users. But is your phone actually going to get it?

The release process for Android updates is more complicated than Apple’s iOS updates, and just because an update has been launched that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have access to it.

In fact, you probably won’t. It’s down to device manufacturers, and in some countries the carriers too, who spend quite a bit of time with the new software before releasing it to their devices.

If you own a Nexus device you’re in luck, as not surprisingly Google’s new software has landed on those first – and manufacturers like Motorola are generally better at getting updates out quickly. But other manufacturers are a little less predictable.

While most phones are still waiting on Marshmallow, we are already seeing the gentle roll out of the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update, with new emojis and a few little bug fixes bundled in for good measure.

To make the latest Android update less of a mystery, here’s our constantly updated information on when it’s likely to land on your phone.

Google and Nexus

Google has updated its Nexus range of products to Android Marshmallow. It includes theNexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and the whole range of Android One devices. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P both launched with Android 6 on board.

The developers preview for Android 7 N is already out and you can download it on all the previously mentioned devices – apart from the Nexus 5.

Samsung

Samsung did a pretty good job of getting Android Lollipop on to its phones rapidly, but it has slowed things down considerably for the Marshmallow launch.

The Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Note 4 are in the process of getting the update, while the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge launched with Marshmallow pre-installed. The latest phone to start getting the update is the Galaxy S5 – the flagship Samsung phone from 2014.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are the next phones expected to get the update. There’s still no word from Samsung whether the Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Alphaand Galaxy Note 3 will get the update.

As for tablets, we expect the Galaxy Tab S2, Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 will get the Marshmallow software, but there’s no official word yet.

HTC

The update is in the process of rolling out for those who have the HTC One M9 and HTC One M8.

HTC has confirmed the One A9, Desire Eye and One E9 will also get the Android Marshmallow update but there’s no word on timing yet.

HTC also confirmed back in September 2015 that it will be updating the HTC One M9+, HTC One E9, HTC One ME, HTC One E8, HTC One M8 EYE, HTC Butterfly 3, HTC Desire 826, HTC Desire 820 and HTC Desire 816. It has taken a long time so far and HTC hasn’t commented on when it’ll be coming either.